Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 26: To promote the welfare of the erstwhile Baridar families, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has adopted a Girl Child Scheme which covers all the girls born during the Silver Jubilee Year of the Shrine Board (30-08-2011 to 30-08-2012) in the families of the erstwhile Baridars living in the vicinity of the Shrine. This Scheme also covers the girls born in the families of the Shrine Board employees during this period.
Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, who is behind initiation of this Scheme, reviewed the present status of the Scheme and has directed CEO, J. K. Singh, to make effective arrangements for mentoring the adopted girls through identified and well reputed NGOs and till then CEO should undertake this task and periodic visits are made to the villages to ascertain the educational advancement and welfare of the adopted girls.
In this context, Maj. Gen. S. K. Sharma, (Retd), Member of the Shrine Board, accompanied with Anshul Garg, Additional CEO, and other concerned staff of the Board, visited Aghar Jitto and interacted with the families of adopted girl children, the girls and inhabitants of the area. After his visit it has been decided that a Health Camp to check all these girls will be organised in October 2017. Dental check-up and Eye check-up camps will also be held later in the various villages in the vicinity of the Shrine in coming weeks.
It is pertinent to recall that under this Scheme, the Shrine Board has adopted 156 girls, including 79 belonging to the erstwhile Baridar families and 77 to the employees of the Shrine Board born during the Silver Jubilee Year of the Board. At the time of adoption of these children rupees one lakh has been placed in a Fixed Deposit in the banks in the name of each such girl child. This amount can be encashed only after the girl completes 12th class or attains the age of 18 years. The maturity amount will be utilized for pursuing higher or vocational education or for undertaking self-employment.
Besides, Rs. 500 per month is being paid by the Board for the nutrition and proper upbringing of these girl children till they attain the age of 18 years. These girl children, born during the Silver Jubilee Year of the Shrine Board, are also entitled, as they grow up, to avail scholarships under the Board’s scheme which covers students belonging to the erstwhile Baridar families. Furthermore, at the time of marriage, the girls adopted by the Board would also be eligible for the same scale of financial assistance as is paid to the daughters of the erstwhile Baridar families.
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